Re: Freshlyground Radio Africazip
Macabeo Eastman
Initially, the album did not appeal to national radio stations like 5FM due to its perceived lack of commercial potential and "definitely too weird for mainstream radio" sound, as Paul explained.[6] However, university radio stations embraced the album, giving it high rotation and featuring it as a regular top download on local music websites. Regional stations like Highveld and East Coast Radio added the song "Long Way Home" to their playlists, turning it into an instant crowd-pleaser. This moderate success led to the band performing at regional music festivals and making guest appearances on television shows such as Jip and Good Morning Live.[8]
During this period, John Boyd decided to retire from music and pursue a career in marketing.[9] The Parlotones went on to record and release a second EP, Borderline Patrol, in late 2004.[10] The EP gained favorable reception from national radio stations, with their first hit single "Beautiful" charting successfully on 5FM. This was closely followed by their second single "Here Comes a Man", a Boom Boom Room cover, which entered the Top 20.[8] In April 2005, at a celebration for Cosmopolitan South Africa's twenty-one years of publishing, The Parlotones were invited to perform alongside eight other bands.[11]
The Parlotones served as spokespeople for both Live Earth and Earth Hour, joining the likes of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Prince Charles, and Rihanna.[20] They released their third album, Stardust Galaxies, in October 2009, which also enjoyed commercial success.[21] The album featured the singles "Life Design" and "Push Me to the Floor," which gained significant airplay on South African radio stations.[22]
In February 2012, the band was introduced to radio programmers, music supervisors, and other industry executives at Michele Clark's Sunset Sessions event in San Diego, CA. They also showcased at the South by Southwest festival in March 2012, leading to their song "Honey" charting on the Triple-A radio format. The Parlotones participated in the Sunset Sessions Rock event in June 2012, and Michele Clark subsequently became their US manager, featuring in their movie "This is Our Story."
In September 2012, the band announced their official move to Los Angeles, California.[27][28][29] They relocated to the US in January 2013, playing two sold-out farewell shows at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Ellis Park Stadium before their departure. Their first performance after the move was at The Viper Room in Los Angeles.[30] The Parlotones continued to tour the US, achieving success with radio and music supervisors.
The album received positive reviews, with critics praising the band's unique take on classic Christmas songs and the quality of their original tracks. The lead single, "A Parlotones Christmas", was well-received by fans and received significant airplay on South African radio stations during the holiday season.
aa06259810